Mavis Efferson, right, provides information on tree seedling care to a Chelsea resident at the city's Arbor Day celebration. Efferson was a former Chelsea Tree Commission member, who rotated off earlier this year.

Members of the Chelsea Tree Commission pass out free tree seedlings during the city's Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. The Arbor Day celebration was part of the city's responsibility as a Tree City USA community.

Dale Dickerson, urban forestry coordinator for the Alabama Forestry Commission, talks about the potted trees at the Chelsea Arbor Day celebration on Feb. 24, 2018. During the event, large trees were given away every few minutes as part of a raffle.

Chelsea hosted an Arbor Day celebration on Feb. 24, 2018. Throughout the morning, Chelsea residents could come by and get free shirts, hats, seedlings and participate in a raffle for larger, container trees.

As part of its annual Arbor Day celebration, the Chelsea Tree Commission invited residents out to the Highway 39 Recreational Complex for free tree seedlings, a tree giveaway and other goodies. There are typically between 80-100 attendees each year depending on the weather, said Tree Commission member Sharon Johnson.

For tree commission members, the event is a great way to get to know people and to talk about tree planting, care and maintenance, said Judy Cain, who has been on the tree commission for 18 years and rotated off earlier this year.

Also in attendance was Dale Dickens, urban forestry coordinator for the Alabama Forestry Commission. He said Arbor Day celebrations, which are a requirement for Tree City USA communities to maintain their status, are a great opportunity to teach the new generation about trees. The benefit, however, affects all ages.

"Trees are very important to communities, but they're not often thought about," Dickens said. "Arbor Day lets us take time and think about the trees."